student visa

subclass

Australia is one of the top destination when it comes to education. International students in Australia enjoy world-class education in cities consistently ranked amongst the world’s happiest. Australian education is not only of an incredibly high standard but offers many pathways across all study levels, in virtually every study field. Qualifications from Australian universities are highly regarded and globally recognized by employers and institutions alike.

Australian Education System (AQF Framework)

To understand Australian Education system, it is important to become familiar with Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and understand the range of study options available.

The AQF is a system of 17 national qualifications in 3 sectors:

Schools

Vocational Education & Training (TAFE and private providers)

Higher Education (mainly Universities)

AQF Qualification by Sector Accreditation

Below table shows the qualifications grouped together according to the relevant education sector.

Schools Sector Accreditation

Senior Secondary Certificate of Education

Vocational & Technical Education Sector Accreditation

Vocational Graduate Diploma

Vocational Graduate Certificate

Advance Diploma

Diploma

Certificate IV

Certificate III

Certificate II

Certificate I

Higher Education Sector Accreditation

Doctoral Degree

Masters Degree

Graduate Diploma

Graduate Certificate

Bachelor Degree

Associate Degree

Advance Diploma

Diploma

Who is eligible?

If you are a school student, you must be 6 years or older. You must also be:

Sub classes

500

590

Student Visa

subclass 500

This is a temporary visa that allows international students to study, live and work in Australia.

Before applying for this visa, students must be accepted for full-time study in a registered course or part of a registered course in a registered education institute in Australia.

The course must be a CRICOS certified course and being run by a CRICOS certified provider.

The validity period of a student visa will generally be determined by the length of the course. You can also bring your partner or dependent child with you on Student visa.

Eligibility

Course of Study

you must provide an evidence of an enrolment in a course of study when you apply for this visa.

The study must be in a full time course registered on CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students).

Health Requirements

you and any family members who apply for this visa with you must meet Australia’s health requirement. The Department of Home Affairs might also ask that other non-migrating family members meet the requirement.

Welfare Arrangements

if you are under 18, you must have adequate welfare arrangements in place while you are in Australia.

Character Requirements

you and any family members who apply for this visa with you must meet Australia’s character requirement. The Department of Home Affairs might also ask that other non-migrating family members meet the requirement.

English Language

you might need to provide an evidence of your English language skills when you apply for this visa. Generally the evidence is an English language test result. e.g. IELTS, PTE, TOEFL etc.

if you are appearing for an English language test, you must score a minimum of 5.5 in IELTS (or equivalent) to apply for this visa. However, educational institutions might place a higher requirement in place for entry to a course.

Funding Arrangements

you must have sufficient funds available to pay for your study, living and general expenses in Australia.

if you have family members included in the application, you must show evidence of funds for their expenses as well.

As a general guide, you need to demonstrate capacity for

1 year tuition fee,

AUD 20,290 towards your living expenses,

AUD 7,100 towards your partner’s living expenses,

AUD 3,400 towards your child’s living expenses, and

Travel expenses

Genuine Temporary Entrant

you must be a genuine temporary entrant and intend to return back to home country after completing your studies in Australia.

Higher Education Sector

Postgraduate Research Sector

Student Guardian Visa

subclass 590

This is a temporary visa similar to Student Visa subclass 500, however only eligible for applicants who come to Australia to provide care and support for a student visa holder who is under 18 years of age.

You are not allowed to work while on this visa in Australia.

If the student is under 18 years of age, a guardian can accompany him/her on the Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) to provide care.

The length of this visa is determined by the student visa holder’s stay and age.

Eligibility

Parent, Custodian or Relative

you must be:

the parent of the student visa holder, or

a person who has custody of the student, or

a relative of the student, aged 21 years or older and nominate by a parent or person who has custody of the student

Health requirement

you and any family members who apply for this visa with you must meet Australia’s health requirement. The Department of Home Affairs might also ask that other non-migrating family members meet the requirement.

Welfare Arrangements

you must make adequate welfare arrangements of any family member who:

is not coming with you to Australia

is under 18 years of age

does not have a student visa

you must be able to provide for the student visa holder.

Character Requirements

you and any family members who apply for this visa with you must meet Australia’s character requirement. The Department of Home Affairs might also ask that other non-migrating family members meet the requirement.

English Language

you might need to provide an evidence of your English language skills when you apply for this visa. Generally the evidence is an English language test result. e.g. IELTS, PTE, TOEFL etc.

if you are appearing for an English language test, you must score a minimum of 5.5 in IELTS (or equivalent) to apply for this visa. However, educational institutions might place a higher requirement in place for entry to a course.

Funding Arrangements

you must have sufficient funds available to pay for your living and general expenses in Australia.

if you have family members included in the application, you must show evidence of funds for their expenses as well.

Genuine Temporary Entrant

you must be a genuine temporary entrant and intend to return back to home country after the student visa holder either: